Rising dementia toll means it causes one in six deaths

One in six deaths is caused by dementia, according to a report which highlights the growing toll of the illness.

Analysis of death certificates between 2001 and 2009 reveals that conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease account for 15 per cent of deaths in England.

Two-thirds of victims died in nursing or residential care homes and a third in hospital.

The study found almost two thirds of people who died with dementia did so in nursing or residential care homes (posed by model)

But campaigners claim the 15 per cent figure underestimates by half
the toll, which they put as high as one in three deaths.

The report, published today, also shows that, within the total, the
number of cases where dementia is recorded as the leading – rather than
just a contributory – cause of death is rising.

A social challenge: Minister for Care Services Paul Burstow says that we must prepare now for the impact dementia will have on society

The figures were
compiled by the NHS body the National End of Life Care Intelligence
Network.

The statistics showed 631,078 deaths were due to dementia,
Alzheimer’s or senility out of 4,339,000 deaths recorded in England
between 2001 and 2009.

The report predicts that growing numbers of people living longer will
lead to large increases in those suffering dementia.

It concluded that between 2010 and 2030 the number estimated to have
dementia at any one time will increase by 440,960 to 1,054,000.

Ruth Sutherland, interim chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society,
said: ‘The research shows that a staggering 15 per cent of deaths are
attributable to dementia but this is the tip of the iceberg – we know
that one in three people over 65 will die with dementia and we need
death certificates to reflect this.

‘Research from the National Audit Office found that the UK is in the
bottom third of Europe when it comes to dementia care.

‘This is disgraceful. Dementia training must be provided to all care
home and hospital staff to ensure people receive quality care.’

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow, said the Coaltion was ‘committed
to improving the care for people with dementia’ and as part of a
recently launched strategy was looking at the training NHS and social
care staff receive on dementia.